Well, as I type this, from seat 29F, I can still see the Miami coast. We just took off from Miami bound for San Pedro Sula. I mention my seat number because I caused minor confusion first sitting in 27F. This of course caused a domino effect. It wasn’t until the third person who was going to be forced to sit in the wrong seat insisted on the seat she had been ticketed for. Finally all eyes glared at me as the culprit and I apologetically moved to my correct seat. It sort of reminded me of when I am at the grocery store and I start to walk off with someone else’s trolley! You feel bad about it at the time then laugh about it a minute or so later.
But let me back up……yesterday was a whirlwind. I repacked one case as I figured I could save 1Lb by switching suitcases. Along with my clothes I am taking a ridiculous amount of school supplies and toys. Yesterday I must have been on and off the bathroom scales a dozen times. I knew, as Brent took me to the airport this morning, that I was slightly overweight (in my luggage that is…save the snide comments). We arrived at the airport at about 4:15am but even then the place was packed. My plan, if they tried to charge me, was to open my case right in front of all the other passengers and loudly declare that I was giving away crayons and pencils etc. as I couldn’t take them with me to give to the poor children……I hoped this would at least make American Airlines feel bad. I figured even if it didn’t help, it would at least make me feel better. A very nice agent came up to me in line and helped me with my tags. I made an effort to be extra nice and inquired as to how her morning was going. As my first (and lightest) case hit the scale….bingo…50lbs exactly (phew). Then it was the one I was dreading…..52lbs…2lbs over….the same very nice agent said “not to worry, I’m not concerned with 2lbs…..Note to self…Be nice to people!
I then spent a ridiculous amount of time waiting to clear US customs. Finally at 5:40am it was my turn to approach the agent. I tried again to be extra nice as by now I was getting tight for time. I raced up to the guy (trying to give the impression of….”I’m really in a rush here” – my flight had started boarding). Obviously it didn’t work and my niceness was lost on him. He told me as I smiled and tried to hand him my declaration card, “put it on the counter and I’ll get it when I’m ready”. He then proceeded to slowly pour himself a coffee from a flask he had behind the counter, took great care to screw the top back on and took a sip. Finally he picked up by documents and passport and gave me the all clear. I threw my bags on the belt, raced through security and down to the gate. A quick trip to the ladies as they were making the last call for the flight……Hence my good intentions to post from YYZ while leisurely sipping on my Second Cup coffee didn’t materialise. The flight from Toronto to Miami was uneventful. I was so tiered I snoozed most of the way. Miami wasn’t much to write home about…. Quick sky tram trip to the right terminal and just enough time to buy a snack. However, sitting in the departures lounge at Miami it slowly started to sink in about what is ahead of me. I was one of only a few non-Hispanic passengers. All the signs and announcements were in Spanish and English and most of the conversation around me was in Spanish. It was even more evident when I boarded. All PA’s in Spanish and magazines in both languages. In a way it a nice transition from the English to the Spanish. On a side note I wish I had stayed in the wrong seat. The late 20’s something young lady next to me in row 27 was in the throes of telling me her immigration problems. Her husband (who turns out to technically not be her husband, legally that is, got caught by U.S. immigration and turfed back to Honduras). They have three kids, one which is hers from another relationship (or whatever) and two that she has had with her un-husband. I even got to see pictures on the laptop before I had to retreat to my correctly assigned seat. Now this couple is next to me and the guy is irritating. We haven’t actually spoken but he started to annoy me shortly after take-off. As I’m at the window seat he kept trying to see out of the window and by doing so was entering my seat space. Now he has fallen asleep (good job or he’d probably try to read this) and is taking up the entire armrest also in my seat space. Perhaps his arm will slip and he will wake up with a “jolt”. I can only hope.
So we land in about one hour. My plans are slightly different than from what I originally posted. I am getting picked up at the airport by the assistant of Ellen Finn (of Project School Supplies). It means I should be in Copan by about 6pm tonight. I don’t know when I will get the opportunity to post this as I don’t start school until Monday afternoon.
Out for now……
Deb.
P.S. Sleeping beauty was really leaning so I did the accidental bump combined with the “Oh Sorry”…..
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